E-Rate Eligible Wired and Wireless Access Layer Network Solutions (RFP 26-018-073)

Fayette County Public Schools (FCPS) in Georgia is issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP 26-018-073) to procure E-Rate eligible wired and wireless access layer network solutions for its 28 buildings serving approximately 20,000 students with 40,000 network-connected devices. The procurement requires qualified contractors to provide network switching and routing equipment, wireless network coverage, comprehensive design and engineering services, seamless hardware cutover, and integration with existing infrastructure. Specific deliverables include 28 units of HPE ANW 6200F 24G switches, 50 units of HPE ANW 6200F 48G switches, 790 Aruba AP-635 wireless access points, and 5-year Aruba Central licenses for 150 switches and 1,750 access points. Respondents must be manufacturer-certified with local Atlanta metropolitan area sales and support staff, qualified manufacturer-certified field engineers, and current certifications submitted with proposals. Required submissions include product data sheets, cost proposals in line-item format, minimum three letters of recommendation from similar projects dated within two years, Solicitation Response Form, Certificate of Insurance naming FCPS as additional insured, W-9 Form, and E-Verify compliance documentation with training costs itemized separately. The evaluation will be weighted as follows: cost of eligible services (35 points), technical integration with current infrastructure (30 points), customer service and past performance (25 points), and references and other criteria (10 points), with the lowest-cost proposal receiving maximum points. Respondent questions are due by 9:00 AM ET on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, proposals are due by 9:00 AM ET on Monday, March 16, 2026, and the contract term begins upon award through June 30, 2026, with four optional one-year renewal terms.

The RFP does not specify set-aside designations or restrictions based on disadvantaged enterprise status, though E-Rate eligibility requirements apply to the procurement. The district is transitioning from Ruckus-branded switches to HPE Aruba-branded switches or equivalents managed through Aruba Central, which represents the existing infrastructure requiring integration and represents a shift from current vendor relationships. No specific award value or budget range is disclosed in the solicitation documents. Proposals must be submitted electronically, by mail, or hand-delivered to the FCPS Purchasing Department at the LaFayette Educational Center, 205 LaFayette Avenue, Fayetteville, Georgia 30214, directed to Matthew D. Roberts, Purchasing Manager (roberts.matthew@fcboe.org). Addenda, if applicable, will be issued the week of March 2, 2026, providing respondents with potential modifications or clarifications prior to the proposal deadline.